The tables show the number and selected characteristics, such as sex, age, state/territory, indigenous status, industry, industry sector, hours of work and income of persons in Australia employed in a sport or physical recreation occupation as their main job at the time of the 2006 Census.

In the 2006 Census, 75,155 persons were employed in sport and physical recreation occupations, an increase of 21.6% compared to the 2001 Census.

Of those employed in a sport and physical recreation occupation, the largest numbers were reported for Fitness Instructors (13,800 persons), Greenkeepers (12,138 persons) and Swimming Coach or Instructor (7,588 persons).

Of the 75,155 persons, there were more males (44,443 or 59.1%) than females (30,712 or 40.9%) employed in sport and physical recreation occupations.

The 20-24 year age group had the largest number of persons employed in sport and physical recreation occupations (13,043 or 17.4%).

Of the 75,155 persons whose main job was in a sport and physical recreation occupation, under half were in employed in Sport and Physical Recreation industries (32,176 persons or 42.8%).

Over ninety percent or 67,658 persons were employed in sport and physical recreation occupations in the private sector.

Just over half (38,551 or 51.3%) of persons employed in sport and physical recreation occupations worked part time (ie less than 34 hours).

The majority of persons employed as Sport umpires (93.8%) worked on a part-time basis (ie less than 34 hours). A large percentage of persons employed as Swimming Coach or Instructors (6,753 persons or 89.0%) and Gymnastics Coach or Instructors (1,730 persons or 84.6%) also worked part-time. Conversely, the majority of persons employed as Horse Trainers (82.9%) and Fitness Centre Managers and Sail Makers (both 79.6%) worked full-time. Interestingly all 10 persons employed as Bungy Jump Masters worked 40 hours or more.

Over fifty percent (52.1%) of persons employed in sport and physical recreation occupations received a gross weekly income between $250 and $799. Just over one-quarter of persons received less than this amount and just over one-fifth of persons received more.

Sport and physical occupations that had a high proportion of persons receiving a weekly income of $1,000 or more were Footballers (56.5%). By comparison, more than three quarters (80.8%) of Sports Umpires and one-third of Swimming Coach or Instructors received less than $150 per week.

Information on terms used in this publication can be found in the Explanatory Notes. More detailed information on the classifications used in the Census is available in the Census Dictionary, 2006 (cat. no. 2901.0).